On March 11, a college planning meeting was held in the auditorium after school. They discussed topics like exploring colleges, SAT/ACT, the application process, letters of recommendation, transcript requests and scholarship information. The event was open to students and parents of all grades.
“College Bound Parent Night is an informational event where members of the guidance department discuss topics that include: exploring colleges, the application process, direct admission vs Common App, transcript requests and scholarship information. The event is open to parents and students of all grade levels. Whether the student is a freshman just starting high school or a junior getting ready to submit applications in the fall, this meeting is a great way to gather the information that students and parents will need for the college application process,” Ms. Ashley Kline (Guidance Department Head) said.
Students in attendance were asked to reflect on their choices in regards to college and goals.
“Set realistic goals and expectations for what college to attend, the cost of college, what major caters to the student’s interests and strengths and what their best path to college will be. There is not one “right” path to college. One student might attend the college of their choice immediately after high school, and another student might attend Ivy Tech for a year or two, then transfer to their college of choice. One student might need four or more years of college education to attain their career goals, but another might only need a long-term certificate/credential. Do research early and work towards your post-high school goals a little each year,” Ms. Megan Graman (Guidance) said.
Students were encouraged to visit colleges to get an idea of where they want to go.
“Visiting a college definitely plays a role in the final decision making process. When you do an official visit to a college or university, you are able to get a feel for what campus life is like. Many times, you are able to sit in on a class and visit a dorm room. Some colleges have student panels available where you can ask questions about campus life and studies. These visits are important because it allows the student to see what life on campus would be like and if this is the place they want to start their next chapter,” Mr. Steven Aguilera (Guidance) said.
Parents and students were also told about the essential parts of applying, like deadlines and requirements.
“Deadlines are critical during the college admission process. Extensions are rarely given. Check your emails, know your deadlines. If not, you could lose out on priority admission status or scholarship opportunities. Deadlines creep up quickly once senior year starts, so the better prepared you are, the easier it becomes. Start looking at possible career options as early as freshman year and work to align your course selection with where you want to end up. Ideally, select three to five schools that fit your criteria. One can be a “reach” school and one can be the “safety” school that you are confident you will get in. I highly recommend, if possible, that you visit a few of your choices to see which one is the best fit for you. Parents should have discussions with their children about their financial contribution, if any, towards their college education. This will allow students to hopefully take the financial cost into account when applying to different schools,” Ms. Sherrie Bereda (Guidance) said.
